The images are provided courtesy of the Epigraphic Survey of
the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago.

The accompanying essay is largely the work of Dr. Peter Dorman,
former director of the Epigraphic Survey, University of Chicago;
Dr. John Darnell, former senior epigrapher; and photo archivist
Susan Lezon.

This excerpt originally appeared on the Web as a part of the
Fathom project
and was produced in its current form in collaboration with the
Chicago
Media Initiatives Group.